Compliance Advisor

Fairtrade is the most recognized and trusted sustainability label, working to make trade fairer for people and planet.

For more than three decades, Fairtrade has been making an impact on the way trade works. We believe that every farmer and worker should have access to a better way of doing business, and a better way of living.

Fairtrade International is an independent non-profit organisation representing more than two million small-scale farmers and workers worldwide. It owns the FAIRTRADE Mark, a registered trademark that appears on more than 37,000 products. Beyond certification, Fairtrade International and its member organisations (three producer networks and 19 national Fairtrade organisations) partner with producers and businesses, engage consumers, and advocate for a fair and sustainable future.

Reporting to the Head of Oversight and Compliance, the Compliance Advisor will be responsible for the following main areas of work:

• Develop, draft and support the implementation of relevant policies and procedures for Fairtrade International´s operations to ensure a highly professional compliance management system
• Support the development of a compliance management strategy to further Fairtrade International´s role as leader for the global Fairtrade Organization Code
• Support any necessary revisions of the global Fairtrade Organization Code, identify areas for improvement and draft relevant documents, polcies, procedures and communication material for the Fairtrade System
• Develop and implement a reporting mechanism for compliance with the Fairtrade Organization Code under the leadership and guidance by the Governance Committee
• Support the further development of the Fairtrade complaints and allegations system
• Act as focal point for the Fairtrade System organizations on the implementation of the Fairtrade Organization Code and liase with the member organization´s compliance focal persons
• Develop training and information material for the Fairtrade International Board, executive leadership team, senior management and employees on legal and compliance matters
• Provide information and training to Fairtrade member organizations to support the implementation of relevant policies and procedures for alignment with the Fairtrade Organization Code and global compliance strategy
• Develop data protection policies and support the implementation of adequate measures as identified by the external Data Protection Official
• Liase with and act as point of contact for the external Data Protection Official, including the coordination of regular reports to the executive leadership team and Board
• Provide day to day support and advice on legal and compliance matters to all units, senior management and executive leadership team, as required
• Support the management of the Fairtrade Whistle-Blowing-System to ensure a compliant, confidential and trust worthy complaints and allegations case management that protects whistleblowers and ensures that any reported non-compliance with external or internal regulations undergo a proper investigation, legal assessment and adequate measures are taken
• Support the creation of a culture of accountability and compliance
• Substitute team members and undertake other tasks that are consistent with the level and responsibilities of this post
• Cooperate with other units, functions, organisations and public authorities on legal and compliance related topics

Level of education

• first state exam in German law, Wirtschaftsjurist, LLM, or equivalent Master´s degree (required)
• second state exam law in German law (desirable)
• compliance management training (desirable)

Knowledge / Job Specific Competencies:

• min 3-5 years of substantial experience
• expertise in compliance management systems (desirable)
• Experience in risk management, corporate compliance, operations risk (desirable)
• Experience in developing and implementing policies and procedures (desirable)

Professional Skill Requirements

• Excellent communication skills with a demonstrated ability to explain legal and compliance matters to a variety of audiences, including our international governance bodies
• Ability to work independently and to collaborate effectively when needed
• Should be able to work on multiple matters at one time and meet tight timeframes efficiently and with excellence
• Collaborative and supportive approach to teamwork
• Strong interpersonal communication skills, including conflict and facilitating resolution skills
• Languages: fluency in German, proficiency in English essential

• This is a full-time position within Fairtrade International.
• An initial one-year contract is offered. It is envisaged that the contract will become permanent after the initial one-year period.
• The Location is at Fairtrade International offices in Bonn, Germany.
• The office language is English.
• Salary as per the Collective Bargaining Agreement for the Wholesale and Foreign Trade Industries for North-Rhine Westphalia and Fairtrade International Company Agreement on wages and salaries Group VIa plus an attractive benefits package.

• Please consult www.fairtrade.net for more information on Fairtrade International and the Fairtrade system
• We are actively recruiting for this role and reserve the right to close this advertisement at any time.”

Please note that Fairtrade International is strict on compliance with the required qualification criteria mentioned above, and only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.